NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met March 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Invocation.

2. Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Call to order- Mayor Knapp called the meeting to order.

4. Mayor Knapp called roll call and the following members of the Council answered present: Alderman Keith Chesnut, Alderman Larry Weaver, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier and Alderman Randy Schoon.

Absent: Alderman James Busser.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

Motion made by Alderman Chesnut second by Alderman Schoon to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the February 19, 2024 Council Meeting.

Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Schoon.

6. Mayor Knapp opened Public Comment and the following persons provided comments: Members of the public are welcome to speak at this time but are limited to only 3 minutes.

Chad Horner discussed running as a candidate for Ogle County Corner.

7. Committee Reports

➢Alderman Chesnut- None.

➢Alderman Weaver- We are all planned out for the mural. The wall has been capped. 

➢Alderman Bardell- There will be a test sandblast on Thursday morning at the pool to help determine how much sand is needed for the sandblasting. The intergovernmental agreement with the schools is in the works.

➢Alderman Schoon- Irving Construction started digging up at the new City Hall location today. Randy would like to give a huge shoutout to Dave and Laurie Sherrick as they have donated three beautiful picnic tables for the future polo marketplace.

➢Alderman Kochsmeier- Joey talked with Tammy Merdian and Pam White about our CDs at First State Bank Shannon Polo. First State Bank Shannon Polo are going to let us roll over the CD’s a month at a time.

➢Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- The police department is continuing moving forward on ordinance violations.

➢City Clerk Bartelt- City Clerk Bartelt stated that she was notified today by First State Bank Shannon Polo that someone wrote a fraudulent check using the City’s Clearing Account information. This account has been closed and the city will work with the bank to get a new account up and running.

➢Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Kendall opened up the softball diamond for the girls’ softball team last week. He will be opening up the bathrooms at west side park tomorrow. The city is not doing yard waste until April 1st as winter is not over yet. They do not want to take the snowplows off until they are sure there will be no more snow. Citizens can utilize the old waste water treatment plant for their yard waste. Kendall will work with the sandblasters to do a test sandblast this week. They are going to see if they can do the job for under $20,000. The city is hoping the cleanup will be volunteer labor. There is currently no lead paint in the pool so there will not be a need for lead paint abatement.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

NONE

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on an intergovernmental agreement between the Dixon Police Department and the City of Polo.

Alderman Chesnut made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the intergovernmental agreement between the Dixon Police Department and the City of Polo and to authorize the purchase of the ammunition in the amount of $2,344.00, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 24-03, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), in one or more series, of the City of Polo, Ogle County, Illinois, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,250,000 for the purpose of financing the costs of various capital improvements within the city including, but not limited to, the construction of a new city hall and paying for costs related thereto. (first reading)

Alderman Schoon made a motion to bypass the first reading of ordinance 24-03, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve ordinance 24-03, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on a Request from the Polo Town & Country Days Committee for use of City Property for the June 12-16, 2024 Festival.

The consensus of the council is to allow this.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on purchasing paint for the Polo swimming pool. Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the purchase of paint in the amount of $12,300.00 from Clearview Pools Inc. for the Polo swimming pool, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on a contract with Midwest Murals for the painting of a mural on the wall at Louise Quick Park.

One of the suggested changes was after the mural was completely painted, to only pay 25% of the 50% remaining balance due and to have someone check to make sure the work is satisfactory. Nick did not add the withholding of 25% of final 50% for 2 weeks for approval. He was unsure who the approval would be from and felt that needed to be determined before putting that in to the contract. The consensus of the council was to not have that clause in the contract. This contract will be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

4U Charities they would like to make a blanket ordinance to allow for the Saturday before Mother’s Day every year have a one block street closure of Mason Street and allow alcohol outside of Jeff’s Refs. The consensus of the council is to allow this. Attorney Suits will work on this ordinance.

Alderman Bardell would like to have a ribbon Cutting for the west side concession stand. He would like to invite the Burkardt’s and Lion’s Club members.

Buffalo Township has contracted an attorney to draw up the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Polo and Buffalo Township for the new City Hall building. They will also have this attorney draw up a deed to 120 N. Franklin Ave.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Bardell, second by Alderman Chesnut to adjourn from regular session at 7:38 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/4094819/03042024_Minutes_of_the_Polo_City_Council.pdf